The Town of St. Michaels won two awards at the recent Maryland Travel and Tourism Summit for the Battle of St. Michaels Bicentennial event they staged this summer.
Commissioner Ann Borders, Town Manager Jean Weisman, and Talbot County Tourism Director Cassandra Vanhooser accepted the Maryland Cultural Heritage Tourism Award on Thursday, Nov. 7 at an awards luncheon at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve.
Later that evening, Maryland’s Chesapeake Campaign, a series of weekend festivals that commemorated the bicentennial of the War of 1812 actions across the state, won the Cooperative Marketing Partnership Award from the Maryland Tourism Council.
“Two hundred years ago, the British Navy launched its ‘Chesapeake Campaign,’ looting and burning and creating economic devastation in Maryland towns along the Bay,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley. “The War of 1812 in Maryland is our most important national heritage story, when diverse Marylanders from every walk of life banded together to defend our freedoms. Maryland’s Chesapeake Campaign celebrates a national story of triumph while creating tremendous economic benefit for Maryland towns and businesses.”
On August 10 and 11 this year, the Battle of St. Michaels Bicentennial commemoration filled the historic harbor town to near capacity with an estimated 5,500 guests. According to a research study conducted by Forward Analytics, a market research firm whose clients include festivals and events throughout the United States, the total direct and indirect economic impact of visitor spending is estimated at $524,790.
During the celebration, the town’s waterfront and historic district turned back time to 1813 with re-enactments, boat rides, canon firings, horse drawn carriage rides and a Talbot Street parade. The battle was a “whole town” event with residents, visitors, and businesses all contributing to the red, white and blue festivities.
The Battle of St. Michaels commemoration also corresponded with Talbot County’s annual Watermen’s Appreciation Day held at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. This event featured celebrity guest appearance of reality television shows, Deadliest Catch and Swamp People. Highlights included live music, boat docking contest, museum tours, and all-you-can-eat steamed crabs.
“We always enjoy welcoming visitors to our town,” said Ann Borders, a St. Michaels commissioner. “Seeing our restaurants, shops, hotels and attractions filled was a great testament to the economic benefits of the statewide celebration. We are particularly pleased that this event focused attention on our rich history, and we believe we’ve created a lasting legacy for future generations.”
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